These Kitchen Hacks Are Sure to Make Cooking Easier

Cooking doesn’t have to be difficult but with a little help, you can master the kitchen! Start with these 7 simple tips to get comfortable around your workspace while cooking, and you’ll definitely find it becomes easier in no time.

1 Make removing the skin of tomatoes easier.

Lightly score the bottoms of each tomato with an "X" mark before immersing in boiling water. Leave them in the water for at least 30 seconds or when the skin begins to peel. Don’t leave them in for too long since this might make the tomatoes too soft. Once ready, place the tomatoes in a bowl of ice water then start peeling the skin off from the bottom where the "X" is.

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2 Soften butter quicker by cutting the block into cubes.

This makes it easier for the butter to reach the desired temperature. You can also place the butter between two sheets of greaseproof paper then flatten or pound with a rolling pin or even a bottle. Then, let it sit for a few minutes until its soft enough for your needs.

3 Measure flour more accurately by spooning it into a measuring cup.

Avoid dipping the measuring cup into the container which packs the flour into the cup, resulting in an inaccurate measurement and could lead to a failed recipe. Then, once measured, use the side of a knife or spatula to level the cup.

Toasting nuts prior to baking is necessary. Learn how to toast them in the oven or on the stovetop!

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5 Cook pasta in water and salt only.

Don’t add oil when cooking pasta. Adding oil to your pasta makes the pasta noodles slippery and keeps the sauce from adhering to it. To prevent noodles from sticking together when cooking, add enough water to submerge the noodles and stir the mixture for the first one to two minutes. Use tongs or a wooden spoon and keep the pasta moving while cooking. This helps the noodles cook perfectly and avoid clumping together.

6 Always use salt.

Remember to add a lot of salt to the boiling water when cooking pasta or boiling vegetables. Don’t be afraid! Not only does salt give your food great flavor, it also raises the boiling point of the water, ensuring that the water is continually at a rolling boil. Set aside some of this cooking water if cooking pasta and add it to the pasta sauce. The starch will make the sauce creamier.

7 Deep-fry at the right temperature.

No deep-fry thermometer? No problem! This wooden spoon trick determines the readiness of your oil: Stick a wooden spoon in the heating oil. When bubbles form around the stick, it’s hot enough. This is an important step in frying foods because this could either result in deliciously crisp food or soggy ones.